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Bonham Carter hails critics' award

Helena Bonham Carter said she hoped her lifetime achievement award from the Critics' Circle was not a hint to stop acting.

Accepting the Dilys Powell Award for excellence in film at London's May Fair Hotel, the Oscar-winning actress joked that her recent string of accolades was like a disease.

Bonham Carter said: "It feels like a rash. It suddenly seems like I've got a contagion of diseases, I mean awards. But it's nice, it's a nice feeling. It's so weird, because I'm only 46. A lifetime achievement award... it feels like 'I'm not over yet'. I hope they're not trying to say it's time to stop. I'm only just getting the gist of it."

Last year, The King's Speech and A Room With A View star received a CBE for services to drama and a fellowship from the British Film Institute.

But she admitted it was good to get an award from the critics, who are not always so generous with their reviews.

Bonham Carter said: "I can quote verbatim all my bad reviews. I can remember all the bad ones. Basically because I agree with them. So it's nice because this is like a back good review."

The actress, whose credits also include Howards End, Frankenstein, Fight Club and the Harry Potter films, was presented with the gong by director Mike Newell, who recently worked with her on Great Expectations.

He said: "She's like a kaleidoscope, she is able to deliver these wonderful, vivid characters again and again. They're all full of variety, full of wit and energy and I think people long to see what she's going to try next. She's become an institution. Working with her is always surprising, always harmonious. Not one tiny little bit of foot-stamping or tantrum-throwing. And she was delightful."

Also attending the 33rd London Critics' Circle Film Awards were Emily Blunt, Olivia Colman, Plan B and Rafe Spall. Les Miserables director Tom Hooper had been due to attend but was unable to get there due to the snow.

The London Film Critics' Circle comprises UK film critics, broadcasters and writers who voted for the shortlist.